Residents gather to discuss ways to prevent crime in Lindsay Heights

Capt. Michael Brunson, commander, District Three, presents ideas on partnerships between police and the community to enhance public safety. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)

Provide better lighting for homes, establish safe houses for children who walk to school, trim shrubbery and eliminate trash in the alleys.

These were among the suggestions to improve public safety in Lindsay Heights raised at a recent meeting to review progress toward achieving the goals of the neighborhood’s Quality of Life plan. A new $5,000 grant from LISC Milwaukee to address safety issues will contribute to achieving these and other goals.

Sharon Adams, program director at Walnut Way Conservation Corp., announced the grant. Walnut Way is the lead agency for the Lindsay Heights Zilber Neighborhood Initiative. The Public Safety committee will make the final decision on how the grant money will be used.

Residents listen to presentations by Walnut Way staff, District Three police and Public Safety Committee members. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)

More than 90 people attended the “Report to the Community” event, held at North Division High School. A panel of experts discussed how to identify safety issues, spot and report illegal activity, and prevent crime in the neighborhood. The focus on public safety resulted from feedback after two prior meetings held to update community members on the eight ZNI goals.

“A safe neighborhood is a well lit neighborhood; it’s a neighborhood where you aren’t afraid to let your kids walk alone down the streets, and it’s neighbors helping neighbors,” said panelist Kathie Walker, a Walnut Way resident and community organizer.

Other panelists were Bently Turner, resident and block watch council representative; Michael Brunson, captain of the District 3 police station and Chris Ladwig, assistant district attorney. Also attending were Common Council President Willie Hines and Milwaukee County Supervisor of the 10th District Eyon Biddle.

Representatives of seven other committees working to implement the Quality of Life plan (Academic Achievement, Youth and Families, Lifelong Learning, Housing, Commercial Corridors, Health and Wellness, and Healthy Food) also were available to update residents.

“It’s good to see Milwaukee breaking down the silos we used to work in, and to have for-profits, nonprofits and the city come together for a greater cause,” said Dwight Williamson, Jr., health and fitness coordinator at COA Youth and Family Center. The center is a partner on an initiative to improve academic achievement at Lindsay Heights schools.

The Commercial Corridors committee also reported on Walnut Way’s application for a $200,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grant. The grant would fund cleaning up the site of the proposed Innovations and Wellness Commons at 1609 N. 16th St.

Walnut Way expects to find out in April if it will receive the EPA grant, according to Adams.

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About Kenya Evans

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service has created a downloadable version of “The Long March to Freedom,” a compilation of 15 in-depth articles and profiles commemorating the 50th anniversary of the open housing marches in Milwaukee in 1967-68.